Elmore strikes out 19 in doubleheader split with Catawba

March 27, 2010

Salisbury, N.C. - The Tornados split a doubleheader with Catawba, Saturday afternoon, led by Brittany Jones’ three RBI performance and pitcher Martika Elmore who pitched all 14 innings and struck out 19 on the day.

The Tornados are now 13-14 overall and 2-2 in the South Atlantic Conference, while Catawba sits at 24-13 and 1-3 in the conference.

Elmore held the Indians to one earned run as well on five hits, while striking out eight batters.

The Indians picked up a pair of runs in the first inning commanding a 2-0 until Kristina Clayton drove in the Tornados only earned run of the game in the third inning when Becca Curlee scored on Clayton’s double down the left line.

The Tornados threatened to break the tie first in the top of the eighth when Leslie Hylton slid home appearing to beat the tag, but was called.

Catawba safely reached home in the bottom of the inning when the first batter, Kathryn Geouge drove the extra inning run, Callie Gordy home from second on a throwing error.

After losing the first game, Elmore pitched seven more innings in the second securing the victory, as she allowed two earned runs on seven hits, giving up one walk, and striking out eleven. Elmore helped herself at the plate with an RBI single in three plate appearances.

Jones gave the Tornados two runs in the top of the first when she doubled scxoring Clayton and Jennifer Gift.

The Indians added a run in their half of the first to make the score 2-1, and then in the fourth inning scored a run when Thornburg drove Hester in following her triple to right field.

The Tornados responded with a three run fifth inning. Nicole Heusel led off the inning with a double to left field followed by a walk from Mallory and a single by Gift, setting up an RBI single from Jones.

Sarah Carlos drove in the next run when she reached on a fielder’s choice and Mallory scored. Elmore then singled middle driving in Gift to make the score 5-2.

Catawba responded with one run in the bottom of the fifth, but Elmore and the Tornados’ defense shut down Catawba making the final 5-3.